Cardiac Therapy and Heart Health

Cardiac health problems can come in many forms, from chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and heart failure to sudden cardiac events like a heart attack. But these cardiac concerns have one thing in common: cardiac rehabilitation can help. Like therapy for any other health problem, cardiac therapy both addresses the underlying cause of your heart trouble and helps you build skills to improve and maintain your heart health going forward.

The impact of cardiac therapy

“Data shows conclusively throughout the field that more visits to rehab lead to better outcomes,” said Dr. Sanjay S. Gill, CMSS cardiologist and a leader of the HeartBeats cardiac rehabilitationprogram at Wesley Place.

Like Dr. Gill says, the statistics show the impact of cardiac rehabilitation on people with a variety of diagnoses and needs. According to the American Heart Association, people who are eligible for and participate in cardiac rehabilitation have a more than 50 percent lower mortality rate compared to peers who do not participate.

People who receive cardiac therapy show better outcomes on a variety of measures. When people with cardiovascular disease participate in cardiac rehabilitation, they are more likely to show “improved health factors like lipids and blood pressure,” less likely to require hospitalization and more likely to get back to work or other activities.

Cardiac therapy at CMSS: HeartBeats short-term cardiac rehabilitation

At CMSS, the HeartBeats cardiac rehabilitation program prioritizes time for each resident to see the doctor and the nurse practitioner.

According to Dr. Gill, the global standard is that primary care doctors have to see cardiac rehabilitation participants once a month. In HeartBeats, the frequency of care is significantly above this standard. The primary care physician sees participants weekly and a nurse practitioner sees them three times a week. Rehab practitioners work with the participants every day, assessing and adjusting their cardiac rehabilitation plans as needed.

Heart health is complex, influenced by exercise, diet, stress and genetic factors. It’s not as if there is one simple trick to keeping your heart in perfect shape. That’s why, at CMSS, education is a key component of cardiac rehabilitation. HeartBeats includes plenty of opportunities for healthcare professionals to talk you through the treatment you received at the hospital, how you’re recovering, and the collection of steps you can take to improve and safeguard your heart health.

Typically, cardiac therapy in the HeartBeats program lasts between one and two months. You’ll then head home or, if you find yourself in need of continuing support, may consider moving into CMSS’ supportive living community. Either way, you’ll complete cardiac therapy with knowledge of how to manage your medications and dietary needs, as well as more information about your overall heart health. You’ll also have a better idea of the questions to ask at future doctor’s visits if you have any concerns.

If you’re anticipating a heart procedure or looking for more information about cardiac rehabilitation, get in touch.

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By submitting this form, you are granting: Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services, 1415 W. Foster Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60640, United States, https://www.cmsschicago.org permission to email you. You may unsubscribe via the link found at the bottom of every email. (See our Email Privacy Policy for details.) Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.